Tanzania, March 9 -- Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday outlined key areas the government is focusing on to bring about participatory development, including ensuring that women are economically empowered.

Speaking in Zanzibar, where International Women's Day was marked nationally, President Hassan said the focus was on the global Covid-19 pandemic, and how Tanzania should cope; rising oil prices; women in decision-making positions, and efforts to end gender-based violence.

The theme of this year's International Women's Day was "Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow". However, the national event in Zanzibar carried the themes "A Generation of Justice and Equality for Sustainable Development, Come Forward to be Counted" (Tanzania Mainland), and "Focus on Gender Equality to Address Climate Change for Sustainable Living" (Zanzibar).

During the occasion, the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, outlined measures his government is taking to ensure that gender equality is taken into account, including empowering women economically, and increasing their number in the government.

On economic empowerment, President Hassan recalled when she officially inaugurated the national committee on the implementation of Tanzania's plan for an equitable generation in Dodoma in December 2021.

The Head of State said yesterday that...